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What to watch: There are few secrets with the Cardinal. They line up in power formations and run the ball between the tackles, then they run the ball outside the tackles, then they run the ball between the tackles some more. And after they’ve sucked in the opposing defense and forced them to pack the box with extra defenders to stop the run, quarterback Kevin Hogan will play-fake and throw over the top to one of Stanford’s talented receivers like Ty Montgomery, Devon Cajuste or Michael Rector. ... The Cardinal’s defense lost a lot of NFL talent from last season, but has allowed a combined 13 points through its first three games and should pose a challenge to a Huskies offense that has yet to face a legitimately stout opponent. UW quarterback Cyler Miles has managed the offense well and taken care of the ball through four games, but hasn’t shown an ability to throw the ball downfield with much effectiveness. A strong defensive team like Stanford could pose even more problems in that aspect of the game, so the Huskies need to establish the run early and use that success to help ease the pressure on Miles (and UW’s offensive line) in the passing game. And when the Huskies do throw, they have to protect Miles a little better than they did last week against Georgia State.

The pick: Stanford, 31-27.

Prime numbers

WASHINGTON

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Year

10 Cyler Miles QB 6-4 225 R-So.

Needs to be more patient in the pocket on passing plays

2 Kasen Williams WR 6-3 217 Sr.

Still waiting for breakout game, but caught first TD of 2014 last week

55 Danny Shelton DT 6-2 339 Sr.

Leads nation in sacks with 7.0, and Huskies need him to be big to have a chance

32 Budda Baker S 5-10 173 Fr.

Former Bellevue star still looking for first collegiate interception

STANFORD

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Year

17 A.J. Tarpley LB 6-2 241 R-Sr.

Skov might be gone, but Tarpley is still a stud

4 Blake Martinez LB 6-2 247 Jr.

Leads team in tackles with 24

8 Kevin Hogan QB 6-4 225 R-Jr.

Completing 73 percent of passes this season

7 Ty Montgomery WR 6-2 220 Sr.

22 catches, 246 yards in 3 games

Christian Caple can be reached at christian.caple@thenewstribune.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple